In order to eliminate blind spots in the detection and continuous space tracking of maneuverable hypersonic and cruise missiles, US Space Agency (SDA) issued a request for information (RFI) regarding the deployment of the fourth technological echelon (Tranche 4). Initiative, implemented together with the Executive Office of the US Space Force on procurement of missile threat warning and tracking systems, aimed at the radical modernization of the low-orbital observation segment (LEO Tracking Layer).
Центральним елементом оновленої оборонної стратегії Пентагону є формування глобального космічного сенсорного контуру. Рамкова програма Tranche 4 provides for the saturation of low Earth orbit with satellites with highly sensitive infrared and optical-electronic sensors for continuous tracking of targets along the entire space route. Нові апарати будуть об’єднані в єдину мережу за допомогою терміналів лазерного міжсупутникового зв’язку (optical inter-satellite links), which will allow critical fire control data to be instantly routed directly through the space transport segment (PWSA Transport Layer) to direct consumers.
Для прискореного нарощування угруповання та нівелювання технічних ризиків на орбіті, SDA впроваджує двовекторну модель закупівель і тестування. Вона передбачає масштабне серійне виробництво супутників Tranche 4 in parallel with the launch of dedicated experimental platforms to test the latest detection concepts directly in space before their integration into the overall network.
The program scales the current deployment of the US global defense system, building on the success of previously concluded contracts: at the end 2025 year, the agency directed 3,5 billion USD for Tranche-generation tracking satellites 3, and in July of the current year it additionally invested 1,75 billion US dollars in an emergency expansion of the Orbital Missile Defense Group on 36 spacecraft.
Source: https://satnews.com